"the Big 4 pulled out of most regional areas years ago and many small towns now...have no bank"
Just for the record, this is not quite accurate. They have gone from some very small towns, but most towns of 3000 or more have at least one big-four bank. Usually the CBA, but the NAB is also still well represented in many small towns. The ANZ never was big in the bush.
In the US most smallish country towns have their own local bank, peculiar to that town. Which accounts for the large number that have gone bad. We tend to think that our banks are super strong, but some commentators don't compare apples with apples.
I think its the arrogance that upsets many people, and that costs the banks dearly. Maybe one will wake up to the fortune that awaits the first bank to actually respect its customers.
